Common names

Taxonomic notes

Syn. Squamataxus albertiana J. Nelson 1866. The sole species in Saxegothaea Lindl. 1851 (syn. Squamataxus J. Nelson 1866) (Farjon 1998). Gaussen (1976) placed Saxegothaea into a monotypic family Saxegothaeaceae, and Kelch (1997, 1998), using morphological and molecular (ribosomal DNA) data, found it sister to all other clades in the family (including Phyllocladus). Conversely, a molecular and morphological study of Podocarpaceae phylogeny done by Biffin et al. (2011) placed Saxegothaea alone in a clade intermediate amongst other Podocarp genera, with a divergence age (molecular clock) about 125 million years ago.

Found in Valdivian rain forest on slopes in the coastal mountains, or riparian in the Andes. Commonly grows as an extremely shade-tolerant understory shrub or tree, comparable to the northern species of Taxus (Farjon 2010); vegetative regeneration helps to maintain its presence as an understory tree, even in the absence of severe disturbance (Veblen et al. 1980, Lusk 1996). Typical associates, most of which are also evergreen, include Podocarpus nubigenus, Laureliopsis philippiana, Dasyphyllum diacnathoides, Embothrium coccineum, and various species of Nothofagus and Myrtaceae (Farjon 2010).

Although the species remains relatively widespread and represented by large subpopulations, it is threatened by conversion of habitat to plantation forest, often with exotic tree species. It is also exploited for timber and firewood. Fortunately it occurs in many areas that have already been protected as parks and reserves (Hechenleitner et al. 2005, Farjon 2010).

Big tree

Oldest

Lusk (1996) reports ages to 750 years, while Gutierrez et al. (2004) report ages in excess of 498 years.

Dendrochronology

Several studies have used this tree and have found that it can be crossdated. Both Lusk (1996) and Gutierrez et al. (2004) used it (and another conifer, Podocarpus nubigenus) to develop age structures in old forests of Chile and investigate questions about forest development, disturbance, and succession.

Ethnobotany

Large, straight-grained individuals are cut for lumber, while others are cut for firewood. The species has become a popular ornamental in the U.K., where the climate is highly suitable. There are, as yet, no cultivars (Farjon 2010).

Observations

Remarks

The genus is named for Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1819-1861), a patron of the sciences; the epithet means "remarkable" (Farjon 2010).

Propagation of the species from seed requires cold stratification followed by a spring planting. Propagation from cuttings is feasible using rooting hormones (Hechenleitner et al. 2005).